Puducherry: Dr Kiran Bedi was ordered to quit her post as the Lieutenant-Governor Puducherry last night. A Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said last night “Kiran Bedi will cease to hold” the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.
The order was issued after the ruling Congress navigated a crisis of numbers. Earlier on Tuesday; the government lost its majority with another ruling party legislator resigning; leaving Mr Narayanasamy’s government on the brink of collapse.
CM on the dismissal of Dr Kiran Bedi
It is a victory in our fight for secularism. It is a victory for the people… the people of Puducherry are celebrating the removal of Kiran Bedi,” Mr Narayanasamy said.
The CM has repeatedly accused her of scuttling Puducherry’s development at the behest of the centre. He alleges several party members resigned after feuding with Dr Bedi.
After the resignation of several members, the opposition demanded the resignation of the CM saying his government was in minority.
The CM, however, rejected the demand claiming that his government continued to enjoy “minority” in the assembly.
The party position in the assembly as of Tuesday: Congress (ten), DMK three, All-India NR Congress seven, AIADMK four, BJP three (all nominated and have voting rights), and one independent.
Elections in Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam are due in May.
Until then, President Kovind has ordered Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana to discharge the functions of the Lieutenant-Governor of Puducherry in addition to her own duties.